Iga Swiatek, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, has made history by becoming the first Polish player, male or female, to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics. Her impressive 6-3, 6-4 victory over China’s Wang Xiyu in the third round of the Paris Olympics on Tuesday night marked a significant milestone for Polish tennis.
Swiatek’s victory extends her remarkable winning streaks: she has now won 15 consecutive matches against left-handed opponents, 22 straight matches on clay, and 24 consecutive matches at Stade Roland Garros, where the Olympics are being held.
The match against Wang was not without its challenges. Swiatek faced break points in both her second and third service games in the first set, but she managed to save them and eventually take the set 6-3. In the second set, she broke Wang’s serve twice but was broken back both times. However, she broke Wang’s serve once more for a 5-4 lead and served out the match.
Swiatek’s next opponent in the quarterfinals will be No. 8-seeded Danielle Collins, who defeated Colombia’s Camila Osorio earlier in the day. Collins famously defeated Swiatek in the semifinals of the 2022 Australian Open, but Swiatek has won all five meetings since then, including a hard-fought victory in Melbourne this year.
Swiatek’s success at the Olympics is a testament to her exceptional talent and determination. She is a role model for young Polish tennis players and an inspiration to all who follow the sport.
